Leg Exercising Device For Simulating Ice Skating

Abstract

A frame carries a pair of articulated components engageable by the feet of the user. Tensioning devices attached to the frame give resistance to rearward movement of a user's legs thus enabling the user to simulate skating and strengthen the necessary muscles and the like.

Description

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices designed specifically for individuals desiring to strengthen the legs, more particularly the muscles of the legs which are used in ice skating or the like.

The only way for hockey players or ice skaters to strengthen or condition their legs are to actually play. However, this requires considerable ice time and at the beginning of the season particularly, such ice time is usually at a premium so that it usually takes a player some weeks to "play into condition."

By the same token, a player coming off the injury list also takes several weeks of playing to get himself back into shape and although the device is designed specifically for use by ice skaters and hockey players, nevertheless it can be used with considerable success by players conditioning themselves for the majority of sports such as football, basketball, track and the like.

The difficulty with conventional exercising devices arises from the fact that it is almost impossible for conventional devices to simulate the skating motion and thus improve the muscles usually used for this motion. As an example, the front quads, backs of the thighs, the buttocks, the hamstrings, and the lower back muscles are used in ice skating action.

The present device constitutes a relatively simple portable structure which can be used by an individual to simulate the skating motion and to supply resistance on the rearward thrust of each leg alternatively in a manner very similar to the action of ice skating.

The device is portable, can be folded, simple in construction and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the considerations and inventive objects herein set forth in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention embodies the combination of parts, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying FIGS. in which:

FIG. 1 is a relatively small scale isometric partially schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of the device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the articulated components.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the outer member of the articulated component showing the transverse hinge.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the mounting of the foot plate to the outer end of the articulated component.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a further preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one side of FIG. 6.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should first be made to FIG. 2 in which 10 illustrates generally supporting structure consisting of a horizontal cross bar 11 having down-turned ends 12 into which are socketed vertical supports 13 in spaced and parallel relationship to one another.

Outwardly diverging brace components collectively designated 14 connect to the lower ends of the vertical supports by means of spaced sleeves 15 and pairs of braces 16 extend from these sleeves 15 in spaced and parallel relationship, terminating with down-turned end portions 17 which are ground engaging by the lower sides 18 thereof thus when they are folded outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2, providing a rigid structure.

A pair of articulated components collectively designated 19 are provided, each component including an inner member 20 having a bearing sleeve 21 secured to the inner end thereof and pivotally or bearably engageable around the lower ends of the vertical supports 13 between the pairs of sleeves 15 as clearly shown thus mounting the articulated component for swinging action in a horizontal plane.

Outer components collectively designated 22 are connected to the outer ends of the inner components 20 and details of this connection are shown in FIG. 3.

A vertically situated bearing sleeve 23 is secured to the outer end of the inner component 20 and a clevis connector collectively designated 24 is pivotally secured to this sleeve. This clevis connector includes upper and lower bearing plates 25 situated above and below the sleeve 23 with a pivot pin 26 extending through the plates and through sleeve 23 thus mounting the outer component 22 for swinging movement in a horizontal plane relative to the inner components 20.

A pair of lugs 27 extend outwardly and upwardly from the side 28 of the clevis connector remote from the bearing plates 25 and a horizontal pivot pin 29 extends through these lugs and through a sleeve 30 secured transversely to a vertical bracket 31 extending upwardly from the inner end of the outer component 22 thus hinging the outer component for movement in a vertical plane relative to the inner component 20 by means of this transverse hinge 29 and 30.

A diagonal brace 32 extends from adjacent the transverse sleeve 30 outwardly and downwardly to be secured to the outer component intermediate the ends thereof. A similar diagonal brace 33 extends between the upper end of the sleeve 21 of the inner component outwardly and downwardly to intermediate the ends of the inner component 20 thus giving rigidity to the cantilever action of this structure.

A foot plate 34 is provided with straps 35 by which means the foot of the user may be secured to the plate. This plate is provided with a pair of spaced and parallel ribs 36 upon the underside thereof and a flexible length of material 37 is rivetted by one end thereof, to the underside of the foot plate between the ribs, by means of rivets 38.

A top plate 39 is secured, by rivets 40, to the other end of the flexible length 37 so that the foot plate has a certain hinging or pivotting action in a vertical plane around the connection of the flexible length 37 to the foot plate 34 by means of rivets 38.

A bearing shaft 41 depends downwardly from the top plate 39 and engages within a vertical bearing 42 in the form of an aperture formed in the upper end of the outer component 22 of the articulated component.

This shaft is held in position by means of a bolt assembly 43 engaging within the bearing shaft 41 with a resilient stop member 44 surrounding the bolt.

This permits the foot plate to be rotated in a horizontal plane relative to the outer member 22 and also to tilt or hinge in a horizontal plane due to the flexible link or length 37 connecting the foot plate to the top plate 39.

A resistance component, cable and reel with return spring, collectively designated 45 is provided for each articulated component 19 and is connected to the frame by means of cross members 46 extending between the pairs of sleeves 15 of the supporting structure. The details of this resistance mechanism or component will be described later.

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment in which the construction of the articulated components and supporting framework is similar to that hereinbefore described.

However, the resistance components in this instance take the form of piston and cylinder assemblies collectively designated 47 including a cylinder 48 being pivotally connected by one end thereof, through sliding clip 49, to the upper member 16 of the brace component 14. The piston rod 50 is pivotally connected by the outer end thereof to the inner member 20 of the articulated component intermediate the ends thereof as clearly shown. This piston and cylinder assembly may take the form of a conventional shock absorber or air cylinder and contains a return spring (not illustrated) which returns the articulated components to the position shown in FIG. 1.

In operation, the user stands upon the foot plates and engages the straps around the shoes to hold the feet firmly in position upon the foot plates. The cross bar 11 is grasped by the hands and the skating action is commenced with each foot thrusting rearwardly and upwardly alternatively and being brought forwardly to simulate the skating action.

Inasmuch as the resistance mechanism or components 45 and 47 are designed to supply resistance on the rearward thrusting action only, the skating muscles and the like are strengthened due to this exercise. The double articulation of the inner and outer components together with the articulation of the foot plates relative to the outer members, permit the legs and feet to simulate almost exactly, the action of an ice skater.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further preferred embodiment of the device in which the cross brace 11A having the down turned ends 12A, is socketed to base members 51 which include the angulated substantially vertical portions 52 and the horizontal portions 53 which are of course ground engaging. A cross brace 54 extends between members 53 to provide rigidity and maintain these members in their desired relationship one with the other.

An angulated brace 55 extends from adjacent the upper end of the vertical portions 52 outwardly and downwardly to the members 53 and provides additional bracing at this point. The articulated components 24 are similar in construction to those hereinbefore described and are pivoted to the frame by the bearing sleeves 20 engaging posts (not illustrated) extending upwardly from the members 53.

The resistance mechanism or components take the form of piston and cylinder assemblies 47 extending between the inner components 20 and the frame adjacent the angulation 56 between portions 52 and 53.

The improvement in this particular embodiment consists of means to adjust the articulated components so that the foot plate 34 may move substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis 57 of the machine, as indicated by double headed arrow 58, or, alternatively, to move in an arc to simulate a skating action as shown by the dotted double headed arrow 59.

The parallel action simulates running or walking and is useful under certain circumstances, particularly as an initial training prior to undertaking the skating type exercise.

A drag link 60 is pivoted by one end thereof to a lug 61 adjacent the front end of the outer component 22.

The other end of the drag link is also pivoted and is provided with a sleeve 62 which mounts the drag link on a member 63 secured between the portion 53 and the brace 55, said member 63 being angulated downwardly for connection to portion 53 but including a substantially horizontal portion 64 which extends outwardly and forwardly of members 53.

A clamp 65 enables the sleeve 62 to be secured in the position shown in full line in FIG. 7 or the position shown in phantom in FIG. 7 or any position therebetween. When secured as shown in full line in FIG. 7, the movement of the foot plate 34 is substantially in alignment with arrow 58 and as it is moved towards the position shown in phantom, the movement of the foot plate gradually increases in curvature towards the path shown by the double headed arrow 59.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept which is herein disclosed and/or claimed.

Claims

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A leg exercising and conditioning device comprising in combination a supporting frame, a pair of collapsible foot receiving means for receiving the feet of a user, said means including components wherein each of said components is pivotally connected to said frame at one end of each of said components, a force resistance means connected between each of said articulated components and said frame for resisting the swinging movement of each of said articulated components in one direction, a foot engaging member on each of said collapsible components adapted to receive the foot of the user, each of said articulated components including an inner member pivotally mounted at one end thereof to said supporting frame, for movement in only a horizontal plane, and an outer member journalled by one end thereof to the other end of said inner member, said outer member having means for permitting movements of said inner member in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane relative to said inner member.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said frame includes a stationary hand engaging cross bar, a pair of vertical supports depending one from each end of said cross bar, and a pair of outwardly diverging floor engaging brace members connected respectively to each support of said pair of vertical supports at one end of said braces and adjacent the bases of said vertical supports.

3. The device according to claim 2 in which said resistance component includes a reel assembly mounted on said supporting structure, a return spring associated with said reel assembly and a flexible cable extending between said reel assembly and said articulated component, said flexible cable being secured by one end thereof to said reel assembly in winding relationship therewith and by the other end thereof to said articulated component.

4. The device according to claim 3 which includes a vertical bearing sleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connector having an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said vertical bearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lower bearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transverse hinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from said bearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotally connected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the inner end of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transverse hinge.

5. The device according to claim 2 in which said resistance component comprises a piston and cylinder assembly extending between said supporting frame and said collapsible component, said piston and cylinder assembly providing resistance to movement of said collapsible component in one direction, and a piston return spring in said piston and cylinder assembly for assisting the movement of said collapsible component in the other direction.

6. The device according to claim 2 which includes a vertical bearing sleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connector having an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said vertical bearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lower bearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transverse hinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from said bearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotally connected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the inner end of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transverse hinge.

7. The device according to claim 2 which includes a drag link pivotally connected by one end thereof to said outer member and by the other end thereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of said other end being adjustable thereby vary the path of travel taken by said foot engaging member.

8. The device according to claim 1 in which said resistance component includes a reel assembly mounted on said supporting structure, a return spring associated with said reel assembly and a flexible cable extending between said reel assembly and said articulated component, said flexible cable being secured by one end thereof to said reel assembly in winding relationship therewith and by the other end thereof to said collapsible component.

9. The device according to claim 8 which includes a vertical bearing sleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connector having an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said vertical bearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lower bearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transverse hinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from said bearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotally connected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the inner end of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transverse hinge.

10. The device according to claim 1 in which said resistance component comprises a piston and cylinder assembly component, said piston and cylinder assembly providing resistance to movement of said articulated component in one direction, and a piston return spring in said piston and cylinder assembly for assisting the movement of said articulated component in the other direction.

11. The device according to claim 10 which includes a drag link pivotally connected by one end thereof to said outer member and by the other end thereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of said other end being adjustable thereby vary the path of travel taken by said foot engaging member.

12. The device according to claim 1 which includes a vertical bearing sleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connector having an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said vertical bearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lower bearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transverse hinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from said bearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotally connected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the inner end of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transverse hinge.

13. The device according to claim 12 which includes a drag link pivotally connected by one end thereof to said outer member and by the other end thereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of said other end being adjustable thereby vary the path of travel taken by said foot engaging member.

14. The device according to claim 1 which includes a drag link pivotally connected by one end thereof to said outer member and by the other end thereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of said other end being adjustable thereby varying the path of travel taken by said foot engaging member.